The Government committed itself to improving the environment as it stands, so future generations have a better head start. This includes tackling plastic waste pollution in England by the scruff of the neck, and punishing repeat offenders.
However, much waste lying in places like Beckenham and other Greater London towns is carelessly left by ordinary citizens. Decent people who honestly don’t believe an empty potato crisp packet makes a difference to their future.
I publish these Avery Associates reviews of the state of fly tipping in England to change that mind set. I believe every contribution – no matter how small – to a cleaner England really does make a difference.
Government Plans for Plastic Waste Pollution in England
Our government has ambitious plans it details in a January 2018, 25 Year Environment Plan. This sets a goal to eliminate ‘avoidable plastic waste’ by that date. Quite why they need more than two decades to achieve this eludes me. I hope this is not a case of politicians ‘kicking a can’ down a road full of excuses.
Ah well, I’ll hope that is not the case and continue. Our government’s targets include outlawing the following food packaging in England:
- Single-use plastic plates, cutlery, and balloon sticks.
- Expanded and extruded polystyrene cups and tumblers.
- Expanded and extruded polystyrene food and beverage containers.
Why Does Our Government Limit Itself This Way
Therefore, this does not appear to include the abandoned household waste, old tyres, and disused appliances that blight our landscape. However, these also contain environmentally-harmful materials that need recycling too. I encounter these almost daily in my travels from my base in Mitcham, Greater London to my clients.
Barge Collecting Floating Rubbish in the Thames (Camster2 BY CC 2.0)
I note the government is calling for evidence on other problematic plastic items and I shall be in touch. Meanwhile, I am grateful the following contributors to plastic waste pollution in England are also under their bureaucratic flashlight:
- Wet wipes and tobacco filters.
- Sachets, and other single-use plastic cups.
The government – see link above – admits “These items frequently escape waste management systems and enter the terrestrial and/or marine environment”. It has taken them a decade or several to catch up with the surge. I therefore hope the next phase will see many more people prosecuted for this antisocial offence!
The Industry and Plastic Waste Pollution in England
EURO 2020 FINAL London 11 July 2021 (Kwh1050 BY CC 4.0)
Each of us has a role to play in stamping out household waste left on street corners. Our local councils have everything waiting for us at their household waste disposal depots. A considerable amount of the problem lies at the feet of a few operators in the house clearance industry. Jeffrey Avery Associates strongly support more law enforcement there!
Our government extols its virtues for the 5p charge for single use retail plastic bags in October 2015. But encouraging people to switch to reusable shopping bags is simply not good enough! They seem to have realized that because they are now speaking of:
- Placing the onus on packaging makers to recover a to-be-determined quota.
- Requiring them to produce packaging that dismantles and recycles easily.
- Applying a similar approach to makers of electric vehicles and batteries.
Where Do You and I Fit in the Picture?
Well first of all the items I mentioned are consumer goods from industries that exist to meet our needs. Although I’ll agree much of the fly tipping in England is commercial waste.
Plastic Bag and Orange Peel on the A140 (Adrian S Pye BY CC 2.0)
British consumers could make a huge difference simply by purchasing goods made for recycling. And definitely steering clear of products notorious for manufacturing pollution. However, that said our greatest hope could be how we handle our household waste.
Every town and village has at least one waste recycling centre. They aim to eliminate dumped household waste by providing consumer-driven, environmentally-friendly alternatives. This could virtually eliminate plastic waste pollution in England if we all play the game.
Reach Out To Your Local Council Recycling Centre
I encourage you – if you are not already doing so – to reach out to your local Council recycling centre. You will find them friendly, cooperative and keen to work together. I can’t promise, but I am comfortable they will find a solution to recycling your household waste and consumer appliances.
More About Jeffrey Avery of Mitcham, London
My name is Jeffrey Avery. I am by profession a sworn valuer of household antiques, in particular 19th and early 20th century furniture often related to deceased estates. I also offer a house clearance service for clients who appreciate the convenience of a property left clean, tidy, and empty for sale, or transfer to a landlord.
Recent Posts
Thought I Had Seen Everything Until I Visited Walsall
Is UK Fly Tipping the New Narcotic of Crime?
Preview Image: Plastic Bag and Orange Peel
I have just moved house after almost 30 years of occupation. My initial choice of movers decided at the last moment that they had double booked and that they would not be able to conduct the move.
This clearly heightened the stress of what was already a highly stressful situation. Added to which my son, who was managing the move, broke his left arm badly a week before the move and had to be hospitalised.
I cannot praise Avery Associates and Adam and Paul enough; they were simply incredible. Willingness and flexibility were their watchwords, I could not have asked for anything better. (Ted Hackett, Captain Royal Navy)
You must be logged in to post a comment.